Dataset Information

Guillain-Barre syndrome following COVID-19 vaccination: a case report and an updated review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has caused a pandemic that has recently affected every aspect of life. Fortunately, many vaccines with high safety and efficacy profiles were developed timely to face this pandemic. In a very short time, billions of people were vaccinated. In the meantime, a wide range of neurological syndromes are being reported. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) which is a rare immune-mediated post-infectious peripheral neuropathy was reported after both the COVID-19 infection itself and many types of its vaccines.

Methods

We are reporting a case of post-AstraZeneca vaccine GBS and reviewing the literature of all reported post-COVID-19 vaccines GBS till July 2021.

Results

29 adult patients were reported. Of them 58.6% were males. Their mean age is 58.2 years. The median time to clinical onset after vaccine administration was 13.2 days. 86.2% of patients had their symptoms following immunization with the 1st dose of AstraZeneca vector-based covid vaccine. Facial palsy was the most predominant single symptom in 75.8% of patients.

Conclusion

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a well-recognized but still rare adverse event following vaccination against COVID-19. Although preliminary data incriminates viral vector-based vaccines more than the other types, active post-vaccination surveillance and more powerful statistics are mandatory to reach a solid conclusion regarding the presence of a causal relation.

SUBMITTER: Aly A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8864061 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundMalaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted to humans by infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Five Plasmodium species infect humans: P. vivax, P. falciparum, P. ovale, P. malariae, and P. knowlesi. Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an inflammatory condition that can lead to paralysis, autonomic dysfunction, respiratory failure, and sensory symptoms. GBS typically follows an infection with Campylobacter bacteria, commonly found in undercooked poultry, but is rarely associated with malaria.Clinical presentationA 16-year-old female patient presented to our emergency department with a 1-day history of altered mentation. She had experienced a severe global headache and fever for 3 days prior to presentation. The patient tested positive for falciparum malaria and was admitted to the ward, where she received IV artesunate and other supportive management. After 3 days of admission, she noticed weakness and numbness in her lower extremities. Subsequently, the weakness progressed upward to involve her upper extremities. After extensive workup, the patient was managed with consideration of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), and she made a complete recovery after 12 weeks.DiscussionGuillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an acute paralytic illness often triggered by infections, particularly viral ones. It is the leading cause of sudden muscle weakness, typically following respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, with Campylobacter jejuni being the most common cause. This patient's neurological symptoms pointed to paralysis of the lower motor neurons. Guillain-Barré Syndrome is also suggested by elevated protein levels and a lack of cells in the cerebrospinal fluid. This clinical picture emerged following a Plasmodium falciparum infection. Although the specific subtype (demyelinating or axonal) was not determined in this case due to the absence of a nerve conduction study, demyelinating subtypes have been found in GBS following Plasmodium infection.ConclusionIn conclusion, while malaria is an exceptionally rare cause of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), it should be considered in patients with recent malaria infection who present with symptoms of lower motor neuron lesions.